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Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum Books
Columbia University's Core Curriculum is one of the nation's oldest and most renowned Core programs and defines the Columbia experience. In existence since 1919, it is comprised of a series of small, discussion-based seminars exploring foundational texts, enduring documents and exemplary experiments in literature, philosophy, history, music, art, writing, science and more.

It offers rigorous training in the new century’s essential skills: analysis, argument, quantitative reasoning, logical inference and creative thinking. The Core creates a community of shared inquiry that ranges across intellectual disciplines, historical eras, cultural contexts and contemporary concerns – and connects generations of Columbia students with each other.

Ask Columbians about the value of their Columbia education and the Core is likely to be the first thing they will mention.

Columbia at a Glance

Programs of study, from Earth and Environmental Engineering to Creative Writing to Urban Studies

From the Lion's Mouth

“My favorite Columbia moment was receiving The Iliad during the summer advising session prior to arriving on campus. When the alumnus handed it to me, it felt like I was officially inducted into the Columbia experience, joining the rest of the alumni who have studied the exact same thing I was about to study. ”